Falana Reportedly Withdraws from Legal Representation in PFIPC Case

Prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has reportedly withdrawn from representing Mathew Adeniyi Adeyemi, who is identified in court documents as the self-described Director-General of an entity known as  Presidentual Foreign Interventions Promotion Council, PFIPC.

Falana had earlier indicated interest in defending Adeyemi following public allegations made by Adeyemi regarding the Chief of Staff to the President and the operations of the said entity.

According to sources familiar with the proceedings, Falana stepped back after citing challenges in obtaining verifiable documents and information required to proceed with the defense.

The legal team said it had requested supporting materials to substantiate claims made in the case, but was unable to obtain them.

Court records show that Falana was not present in court on July 14, 2026, at the Federal High Court in Abuja when the matter was called. Adeyemi was also not present.

Following their absence, the court issued a bench warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest.

He was subsequently arrested in Osun State last week, according to authorities.

Sources said efforts by the legal team to facilitate Adeyemi’s appearance in court were unsuccessful, citing difficulties in coordinating his attendance for trial.

As of the time of filing this report, Falana and his chambers had not issued a formal public statement on the withdrawal.

Attempts to reach the chambers for comment were not immediately successful.

THE CONCLAVE sent a text message to Mr. Falana seeking confirmation of the reports.

The message, which had not been responded to as of press time, read: “Good evening Learned Silk. My name is Sufuyan Ojeifo, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of THE CONCLAVE online newspaper. Just to confirm the authenticity or otherwise of reports doing the rounds that you have withdrawn your representation for Mr. Matthew Adeniyi Adeyemi of the PFIPC due to challenges in obtaining verifiable documents and information needed to proceed with the defence.”

The matter involving PFIPC has drawn public attention amid ongoing discussions about organisations that present themselves as government-affiliated bodies without official authorisation.

The trial has been adjourned to September 30, 2026.